Things not looking good in Bronco land

[Kamcussionator]

Apparently $45M/year can't buy you an offensive score in the second half versus 2nd stringers. Who knew?

 

[toffee]

Agreed. I stopped drinking when I was 29 because I have kids and because my wife never drinks. She never has, and never will. Probably why she looks so good.

I wonder what Frank Clark thinks. Perhaps he wishes he took less to stay in KC? Not sure he likes being part of a defense that gave up 70. Maybe he doesn't care but it's a bit of a stain on him and everyone on the defense right now.

Frank is not old, but somehow he is playing like he has passed his prime.

 

[Rainger]

I really do think that team has given up. Think about it. They were tagged as SB favorites last year when Russ arrived and almost from the beginning, between him and Hackett, there was some odd sh+! happening. Poor coaching, poor play, and a defense that was on pace to be one of the all time greats gets wasted. Then that defense's best player is traded because of the ineptitude of the FO in making the Russ trade, there's internal friction with players openly challenging Russ on the field and on the sideline, and the coach is unceremoniously fired before the season. They were a complete joke - and they knew it.

Then Payton comes in with as much 'white horse' hoopla as Russ and talks a big game, and again, theres talk they could at least challenge for a playoff spot. But the team is made up of most of the same players as last year and there's some significant trauma left over, i'd wager. i doubt the bad blood that might have been circulating through that lockeroom that led to the team mailing it in by christmas was ever really exorcized by two 'good' games against to close the year against opponents who weren't playing all of their starters.

So 2023 starts and the ingredients are the same. Russ, who seemed to have lost the lockerroom already in 2022, is celebrated and shining a spotlight on himself for coming into camp (not fat) yet, the play on the field is largely the same. And those players know that the defense can be as good as it was last year, but if the O doesnt go, it will be for nothing. Then the game against the COmmanders happens and for all the statements that Russ didnt play badly because his statline looked good, the offense was non existant for almost 3 full quarters. And in those 3 qtrs, the Broncos D was left on the field and posterized in the Commanders comeback push.

Then Miami... they had to be going into that game knowing that if they went down by much, it was over. Denver's TDs didnt come on long, ball control drives. They are feast or famine. I think that team saw famine coming and surrendered. Yet again, like the week before, The O comes off cleanly, yet only put up 13 points and racked up their yards hitting underneath routes over and over again that Miami was handing them. And even with that, they fumbled the ball away when they had momentum or otherwise shot themselves in the foot.

I get that their D might not be great, but the performance on the field yesterday and against the Commanders cant be accounted for simply via poor coaching or lacking talent. I think this team has given up. I think they all know they're not just a losing team, but now, a joke. And they dont see a light at the end of the tunnel with the makeup they have now.

Even with a win against the Bears and the Jets, their next 4 are the Bills, Packers, and Chiefs twice. thats 2 and 7. Season long over. The 4 after that? Vikings, Texans, Chargers and Browns. No gimme's there. Even if they split, theyre 4 - 9. They finish with the Raiders, Chargers again, Pats and Lions. Even if youre generous and give them another split, they are 6-11. There season was over by week 7.

Does Payton not pull Russ at that point to see what he has in Stidham before the 24 draft? He will for sure know what he has in Russ and he doesnt seem to be too warm on him even now.

As much as conventional wisdom says you dont sit player with a contract like Russ's, how do you keep him as a starter if the team has lost confidence in him?

Indeed, things arent looking good.

Only 2 teams I see them beating are Bears and Texans no way they beat the Jets. They might luck out a win somewhere. I predict a 3 win season.

 

[Maulbert]

 

[PateratoWilson]

He's got to blow it all up if he wants so to succeed in Denver. 6 straight (going on 7) losing seasons in Denver. Their culture needs to change.

Not that I'm complaining.

Imagine if the Seahawks had 7 straight losing seasons the fans would be irate. The most they've done is 4.

Problem is Payton I don’t think is the guy to fix culture as past history proves this. But, I love that he and Russ just keep taking it on the chin. To me, outside of Belicheat, it couldn’t happen to a better guy.

 

[Spin Doctor]

Frank is not old, but somehow he is playing like he has passed his prime.

I don’t think Frank Clark was ever a top tier pass rusher. Despite his gaudy numbers here in Seattle, he had a tendency to pull a disappearing act. He’d be MIA for games at a time and he never would take over games. He never got consistent pressure and his motor was inconsistent.

In KC he’d pull a vanishing act until the playoffs came. Just doesn’t seem to be a guy that gave it his all 100 percent of the time.

 

[Rat]

During Payton's stint with the Saints:

2010: went 11-5, lost in WC round to a sub-.500 team
2011: went 13-3, lost in divisional round
2012: either endorsed bounty program or was too stupid to realize it was going on under his nose
2013: went 11-5, lost in divisional round
2014-2016: three consecutive 7-9 seasons
2017: went 11-5, lost in divisional round
2018: went 13-3, lost hysterically in conference finals
2019: went 13-3. lost in wild card round
2020: went 12-4, lost in divisional round

I never understood where the genius label came from. His teams constantly underformed in the playoffs.

 

[hedgehawk]

During Payton's stint with the Saints:

2010: went 11-5, lost in WC round to a sub-.500 team
2011: went 13-3, lost in divisional round
2012: either endorsed bounty program or was too stupid to realize it was going on under his nose
2013: went 11-5, lost in divisional round
2014-2016: three consecutive 7-9 seasons
2017: went 11-5, lost in divisional round
2018: went 13-3, lost hysterically in conference finals
2019: went 13-3. lost in wild card round
2020: went 12-4, lost in divisional round

I never understood where the genius label came from. His teams constantly underformed in the playoffs.

In all honesty, it looks like our record minus the SB Win. 10-6 with longevity and a SB equals HOF for a coach.

 

[toffee]

During Payton's stint with the Saints:

2010: went 11-5, lost in WC round to a sub-.500 team
2011: went 13-3, lost in divisional round
2012: either endorsed bounty program or was too stupid to realize it was going on under his nose
2013: went 11-5, lost in divisional round
2014-2016: three consecutive 7-9 seasons
2017: went 11-5, lost in divisional round
2018: went 13-3, lost hysterically in conference finals
2019: went 13-3. lost in wild card round
2020: went 12-4, lost in divisional round

I never understood where the genius label came from. His teams constantly underformed in the playoffs.

Before Wilson was traded to Denver, Pete and Sean could be grouped in the same boat, having a HOF QB but won only one ring. Things changed after the trade, Wilson's no longer consider a sure fire HOFer, and Pete showed that Wilson was great because of PeteBall. Sean on the other hand, if he couldn't turn Broncos' fortune around, he would be the loser that wasted Brees' brilliance.

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

I'm not sure how you fix the Broncos. They've gave stupid contracts to both Wilson and Payton. It feels like the players have quit already which usually dooms a coach but they've gave him so much money you can't fire him. The media are giving him the benefit of the doubt as he was friendly with many of them but he's not proven he can win without Drew Brees and his choosing of defensive coordinators has always been suspect.

I think Wilson has really screwed his HOF chances. He might still get in if people only reflect on his Seahawks career many years later but I don't think it's a slam dunk any more. I don't think Payton likes or wants him. I do think keeping him in during that blow out was disrespectful, same with the other media comments about wristbands etc. Not sure too many 10+ year veteran QB's would be kept in, even not great ones. I think he's been fine this year but not $50m/yr fine. I'm not sure what you do here. You can bench him maybe and draft a QB next year but you can't cut him as his contract extension hasn't even kicked in yet. Would you want him around the locker room if he's not starting? If you cut him you'll be in cap hell for years and no team is ever going to take on his contract in a nominal trade unless the Broncos pay most of it.

Only glimmer of hope is that they play the Bears next and from there they may get some confidence.

Regardless, Pete Carroll looks like an absolute genius right now, especially given how well Geno Smith has been playing.

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

Before Wilson was traded to Denver, Pete and Sean could be grouped in the same boat, having a HOF QB but won only one ring. Things changed after the trade, Wilson's no longer consider a sure fire HOFer, and Pete showed that Wilson was great because of PeteBall. Sean on the other hand, if he couldn't turn Broncos' fortune around, he would be the loser that wasted Brees' brilliance.

Carroll should have had 2 realistically and who knows from there if they had and he had a dynasty at USC.

 

[strohmin]

During Payton's stint with the Saints:

2010: went 11-5, lost in WC round to a sub-.500 team
2011: went 13-3, lost in divisional round
2012: either endorsed bounty program or was too stupid to realize it was going on under his nose
2013: went 11-5, lost in divisional round
2014-2016: three consecutive 7-9 seasons
2017: went 11-5, lost in divisional round
2018: went 13-3, lost hysterically in conference finals
2019: went 13-3. lost in wild card round
2020: went 12-4, lost in divisional round

I never understood where the genius label came from. His teams constantly underformed in the playoffs.

Lets not diminish the mans accomplishment. Pete scrapped into the playoffs a few times playing some scrub teams and even won a playoff game against a scrub team after the superbowl loss. Petes record isnt all that great either.

 

[toffee]

Lets not diminish the mans accomplishment. Pete scrapped into the playoffs a few times playing some scrub teams and even won a playoff game against a scrub team after the superbowl loss. Petes record isnt all that great either.

But Pete ain't got Brees, a true HOF quarterback.

 

[strohmin]

But Pete ain't got Brees, a true HOF quarterback.

Yeah but Pete had the LOB and beast mode. A true legendary defense and runningback. lets see how pete does this year before we diminish Paytons accomplishments in front of petes.

 

[morgulon1]

Only 2 teams I see them beating are Bears and Texans no way they beat the Jets. They might luck out a win somewhere. I predict a 3 win season.

Seattle is going to have a nice 3rd rounder !!

 

[morgulon1]

But Pete ain't got Brees, a true HOF quarterback.

Hell yeah ! IDGAF what anyone says . You're right . Sean Payton just stepped in it BIG time . Thought he could leave the league and come back with also-ran coordinators and keep up using his old school techniques from the school of Parcells 1991 and it backfired.

The poetic icing on the cake is he shit on Hackett before the season started.

Not good.

 

[chris98251]

Russells on a Roll, 3 OC'S a Head Coach, worked to get a HC and GM fired, failed and moved to Denver where he was able to get Horseface to leave and Hackett fired, now working on Payton. The poison in the water I don't think is Payton just like it wasn't Pete.

 

[Maulbert]

Russells on a Roll, 3 OC'S a Head Coach, worked to get a HC and GM fired, failed and moved to Denver where he was able to get Horseface to leave and Hackett fired, now working on Payton. The poison in the water I don't think is Payton just like it wasn't Pete.

Elway left before Wilson got there. George Paton made that stupid deal.

 

[strohmin]

Elway left before Wilson got there. George Paton made that stupid deal.

Word on the street is Elway is still there behind the scenes running the show.

 

[Lagartixa]

Word on the street is Elway is still there behind the scenes running the show.

I'd love to believe this because I really dislike The Teeth.

I've heard nothing of the sort, but then again, I'm not even in the U.S.A., so I wouldn't be shocked if there were a lot of talk around the U.S.A. about something and I were unaware of it. Just recently in another thread I mentioned that I had no idea who Ciara is, other than her being Russell Wilson's wife and the rough idea that she's a singer of some sort, but I wouldn't be able to identify her voice, name one of her songs, or recognize one as hers if it were playing.
I did a Google search on The Teeth still being involved with the Broncos, but that only brings up items about The Teeth's consulting contract with the Broncos having ended and not having been renewed, and about him having told Broncos management that he won't be involved anymore.

So I gotta ask: word on what street?